Foods Rich in Antioxidant’s Anti-aging Benefits

There seems to be a great deal of confusion about antioxidant foods, antioxidant supplements and the anti-aging benefits of antioxidants. So what are antioxidants and what do they do?

Antioxidants are naturally occurring, anti-aging nutrients found in all plants. But the best sources for antioxidant rich foods, by far, are natural, pesticide-free fresh fruits and vegetables.

The benefits of antioxidants from food, or a good quality natural antioxidant supplement, give you anti-aging protection from degenerative diseases and help to slow down the aging process of your skin, cells, tissues and organs. This means staying younger longer with better health.

The main anti-aging antioxidants found in antioxidant rich foods include vitamins A, C and E, the minerals selenium and zinc and the complete family of carotenoid phytonutrients.

What Do Antioxidants Do & How Do they Work?

Although breathing oxygen is essential to life, oxygen can also be your worst enemy. It starts a process in your body called oxidation, which is the formation of free radicals.

The oxidation of metal is a good example. Iron gets old and rusty, old aluminum is bleached an ugly white and copper turns an "aged" green. Something similar happens when your body is exposed to light, air and poor nutrition.

Free radical oxidation damage is the primary cause of aging (rust and corrosion). It's as harmful and destructive to your body and brain as corrosion is to your car.

Just think of antioxidants as human “Rust-Oleum.”

So antioxidants keep free radicals from ravaging your body and stealing the life from your cells. The carotenoid phytonutrients actually sacrifice themselves for your well-being.

The more phytonutrients in your bloodstream, the healthier you'll be.

What are the Best Antioxidant Rich Foods?

Since antioxidant benefits are so important to your health, the Human Nutrition Research Center at Tufts University measured the total antioxidant phytonutrient protection power of various foods. Colorful carotenoid rich vegetables and fruits came out at the top of the list.

The highest-ranking, healthiest vegetables from the list of vegetables are broccoli, kale, spinach and other dark greens, Brussels sprouts, beets, red peppers, carrots and tomatoes.

And the highest-ranking, healthiest fruits from the list of fruits are blueberries, raspberries and other berries, oranges, pink grapefruit, apricots, plums, peaches, red grapes and papaya.

Plus, there are many high-sugar fruit drinks that make outrageous antioxidant claims.

And you won’t find any of these aggressively hype-marketed ingredients on the list of recommended antioxidants from the Human Nutrition Research Center, Tufts or the USDA.

When shopping for a natural antioxidant supplement, ask yourself one simple question, “Can I find these ingredients at a salad bar, the grocery store or at a fruit and vegetable stand?” If your answer is “no,” then keep on looking for a natural, human food, safe and effective source.

And while you’re at it, eat more healthy antioxidant rich organic fruits and vegetables.

For my highest recommendation of the best natural antioxidant supplement, be sure to check out the in-depth scientific research studies found at the carotenoid website.